UEFA Champions League Quarter-finals
Sporting CP 0 - 1 FT Arsenal
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
31' H. Morita
HT
62' ↓ J. Simoes ↑D. Braganca
M. Zubimendi 63'
↓ M. Odegaard ↑K. Havertz 70'
↓ N. Madueke ↑M. Dowman 76'
↓ L. Trossard ↑G. Martinelli 76'
79' ↓ P. Goncalves ↑R. Nel
K. Havertz (G. Martinelli) 90'+1
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Sporting CP
Goalkeepers
Rui Silva 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Iván Fresneda
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ousmane Diomande 
STORMTROOPER
1
Shots
1
Shots
0
Goals
0
On Target
Gonçalo Inácio
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Maximiliano Araújo
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Midfielders
Hidemasa Morita
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
João Simões
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
62
Total Mins
62
Entry
Geny Catamo 
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
4
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Francisco Trincão
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Pedro Gonçalves
LATE SHIFT
11
Late Mins
11
Late Mins
79
Total Mins
79
Entry
Forwards
Luis Javier Suárez
PROVOCATEUR
4
Fouls Won
4
Fouls Won
7
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
BENCH
João Virgínia 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Diego Callai
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Zeno Debast
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ricardo Mangas
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Eduardo Quaresma
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Giorgos Vagiannidis
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Daniel Bragança
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
28
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Giorgi Kochorashvili
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Rafael Nel
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
11
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Souleymane Faye
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Flavio Goncalves
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Arsenal
Goalkeepers
David Raya
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Ben White
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
William Saliba 
MAGNET
99
Activity
99
Activity
92
Passes
7
Duels
Gabriel Magalhães
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Riccardo Calafiori
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Midfielders
Martin Ødegaard
STORMTROOPER
2
Shots
2
Shots
0
Goals
1
On Target
Martín Zubimendi
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Declan Rice 
SWEEPER
5
Cleanups
5
Cleanups
4
Interceptions
1
Blocks
Forwards
Noni Madueke
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
8
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Viktor Gyökeres
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
90
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Leandro Trossard
LATE SHIFT
14
Late Mins
14
Late Mins
76
Total Mins
76
Entry
BENCH
Kepa Arrizabalaga
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Khari Ranson
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Cristhian Mosquera
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Myles Lewis-Skelly
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Marli Salmon
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Max Dowman
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
4
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Christian Nørgaard
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Kai Havertz 
CLUTCH HERO
90
Goal Time
90
Goal Time
Goal
Impact
7.5
Rating
Gabriel Martinelli 
SUPER SUB
1
Assist
1
Assist
14
Minutes
6.9
Rating
Gabriel Jesus
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Andre Harriman-Annous
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 04/07/2026 | Sporting CP | 0 - 1 | Arsenal | UEFA Champions League | Estádio José Alvalade |
| 11/26/2024 | Sporting CP | 1 - 5 | Arsenal | UEFA Champions League | Estádio José Alvalade |
| 03/16/2023 | Arsenal | 1 - 1 (PEN 3-5) | Sporting CP | UEFA Europa League | Emirates Stadium |
| 03/09/2023 | Sporting CP | 2 - 2 | Arsenal | UEFA Europa League | Estádio José Alvalade |
| 11/08/2018 | Arsenal | 0 - 0 | Sporting CP | UEFA Europa League | Emirates Stadium |
| 10/25/2018 | Sporting CP | 0 - 1 | Arsenal | UEFA Europa League | Estádio José Alvalade |
04/07/2026
11/26/2024
03/16/2023
03/09/2023
11/08/2018
10/25/2018
Sporting CP Win
Arsenal Win
Draw
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Late Havertz Sucker Punch Gives Arsenal Quarter-Final Edge
Worth Watching Futmetrix Score: 55/100. Substitute Kai Havertz delivered a stoppage-time masterstroke to reward Arsenal's resilience in a grueling first-leg chess match.
The Tactical Stalemate
The knockout stage pressure clamped down immediately at Estádio José Alvalade. The Stakes were palpable in this fiercely contested Champions League quarter-final, with both sides refusing to concede an inch during the early exchanges. Arsenal arrived in Lisbon eager to dictate the tempo and controlled possession, carefully probing a resolute defensive block. Sporting CP, however, showed no fear of the visitors' European pedigree. They absorbed the pressure and frequently launched stinging counter-attacks, firing multiple dangerous shots on target. The Portuguese giants turned the pitch into a grueling midfield battle, disrupting the rhythm and making it clear this would not be an easy night for the English side. Every challenge carried weight as the home crowd roared their approval, turning the stadium into a cauldron of noise.
The Wall of Raya
As the second half unfolded, the Intensity skyrocketed, transforming the match into a spectacular duel between attackers and the goalkeeper. David Raya emerged as an impenetrable force, putting on an absolute clinic between the posts for the visitors. He produced a string of five magnificent saves, consistently denying the home side when they looked certain to break the deadlock. The Balance of the tie teetered wildly in the 63rd minute when M. Zubimendi thought he had stolen the lead for the visitors, only for VAR to rule the effort out for offside. That marginal call kept the tension at boiling point, with both teams realizing a single mistake could define the entire quarter-final landscape.
Substitutes Steal the Show
Just when a goalless draw seemed inevitable, the visiting manager's tactical substitutions dramatically altered the narrative. G. Martinelli and K. Havertz injected a fresh layer of unpredictability after coming off the bench. In the 90th minute, their connection delivered the ultimate heartbreak for the hosts. Martinelli carved out the space, laying off a perfect assist for Havertz, who ruthlessly buried the late winner to completely flip the script. This late strike fundamentally shifts the dynamic of the tie, giving the London club a precious 1-0 advantage. Sporting now faces a monumental task, needing a result in the return leg away from home on April 15 to rescue their Champions League campaign.
Key Questions
What made David Raya the Man of the Match?
Raya was absolutely flawless, producing five crucial saves to deny Sporting's dangerous counter-attacks and secure a vital clean sheet away from home.
How dramatic was the late winner by David Raya?
While Raya secured the defensive clean sheet, the incredibly dramatic 90th-minute winning goal was actually scored by super-sub Kai Havertz.
What does this mean for Sporting CP's season?
They face a massive uphill battle, needing an away victory in London on April 15 to keep their European dreams alive in this quarter-final tie.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Quarter-Final Collision: Arsenal's Perfection on the Line
Must-Watch Futmetrix Score: 92/100. An elite clash where an unstoppable force meets an immovable home record, with a Champions League semi-final berth hanging in the balance.
The Setup
The Stakes are sky-high in this first leg. Arsenal arrive with a breathtaking Form rating, having won all eight of their European fixtures while conceding a miserly four goals. However, Sporting CP boast a perfect home record in the competition this season. The Portuguese side's lethal attack averages nearly three goals a game in front of their own fans. With the return leg scheduled for April 15 in London, the hosts know they must build an advantage tonight. The sheer volume of top-tier talent on display pushes the Stars metric off the charts, but the tactical Balance points to a tight, high-stakes chess match.
Key Battle
The attacking output will decide this tie. Luis Javier Suárez has been a revelation for the hosts, turning half-chances into crucial goals. He faces off against Arsenal's powerhouse Viktor Gyökeres. While W. Saliba anchors the visitors' defense, the away side will look to Gyökeres to ruthlessly exploit any gaps left by Sporting's aggressive high line.
Our Prediction
Expect a cagey opening half before the game erupts. Sporting's home momentum will see them breach the Arsenal backline, but the visitors possess too much firepower on the counter. We anticipate a thrilling draw, leaving everything perfectly poised for the second leg in London.